The LEED Platinum Case Study Nobody Wants You To Read

A non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Chesapeake Bay, commissioned a breath-taking facility that would eventually become the first LEED Platinum building in the world. Improperly protected engineered wood components led to water intrusion and compromised structural integrity. The building cost $7-million to build. The estimated cost of repair, according to a lawsuit filed by the organization, is $6-million.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters building is recognized as one of the ‘greenest’ buildings ever constructed.” – USGBC

Highlights

32,000 sf office building completed in December 2000
1st LEED Platinum rated project in history of USGBC
Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental advocacy, restoration, and education
Made extensive use of sustainable Parallam® engineered wood product

Background

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is dedicated to saving the bay and its tributaries. According to their mission, they “restore, advocate, educate and litigate” to fight for strong laws and regulations aimed to improve the surrounding environment. In 2001, construction was completed on a new headquarters that, in line with their mission, would minimize impact on the environment. Here is their description:

The Merrill Center, which opened in 2001, is one of the world’s most energy-efficient buildings, incorporating natural elements into a fully functional workplace that has minimal impact on its Bay- and creek-front surroundings. The center and its sophisticated systems have won international acclaim as a model for energy efficiency, high performance, and water conservation.

The Merrill Center is an interactive model that educates and inspires people, including hundreds of businesses, organizations, and government agencies. It is extremely cost effective and operates in harmony with the land, natural resources, and the Chesapeake Bay, proving that “green” buildings work. Our facility also proves that it isn’t necessary to lose comfort or beauty to build responsibly.

All materials are made of recycled products or created through processes that don’t damage the environment. The Merrill Center is the first building to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Good Intentions Aren’t Enough…

Shortly after occupancy, water intrusion was observed through the building envelope. Closer investigation revealed that not only was water getting into the building, but was penetrating key structural components made of the recycled and engineered wood product known as Parallam.

Engineers stated that the structural integrity of the building had been severely compromised, as a result.

The cause of this condition was due to miscommunication or misunderstanding between various parties including the architect, contractor, the manufacturer of the engineered wood components, and a subcontractor responsible for applying preservative to the Parallams.

Over the next decade, the Parallams continued to experience damage, despite some efforts to reseal exposed portions. In January 2011, the non-profit filed a lawsuit against a number of parties including the contractor, architect/engineer, and the manufacturer of the Parallams. Settlement was reached with all of the parties except the Parallam manufacturer, Weyerhauser.

In 2012, the court issued a ruling regarding the non-profit’s claims against Weyerhaeuser. Unfortunately for Chesapeake Bay Foundation (whose mission you’ll recall, includes “litigation”), the statute of limitations had expired. This means that the organization waited too long to bring about its claims, and therefore was not entitled to receive compensation to make necessary repairs (estimated at over $6-million), nor any reimbursement for the cost of its litigation.

Still Available for Weddings (at your own risk…)

The Merrill Environmental Center is undoubtedly a very attractive building that sits on a location that is even more beautiful. In fact, the space is available for weddings and other events. If you’re interested in renting the space for your next event, contact them today.

But before you commit, you might want to note what the organization had to say about the “world’s greenest building” in its complaint:

“[T]he structural integrity of the Project is in jeopardy and the building is now at risk of collapse. Thus, the defective condition of the PolyClear 2000 has created a clear risk of death or serious injury at the project.”

Resources

Images courtesy CRC Career Development, Brad McDermott, and CRC Career Development again